Gateway Pacific

Gateway Pacific coal terminal sunk

The Army Corps of Engineers turned down the Gateway Pacific Terminal, a proposed coal export terminal at Cherry Point, near Bellingham, Washington. The Corps ruled the project would impact the treaty-protected fishing rights of the Lummi Nation. Artist and Northern … Continued

Tongue River Valley

The 38-year fight to protect the Tongue River Valley

I was almost eleven years old in the summer of 1977 when my parents and other members of the Northern Plains Resource Council saw an article in Northern Plains’ newsletter about yet another coal mine proposal. This proposal was close … Continued

federal coal leasing

Federal coal leasing study focus of Whistle Stop Tour

In May and June the Department of the Interior (DOI) plans to hold six hearings on the federal coal leasing program. The hearings are an opportunity for the public to comment as the agency reviews the controversial program. Numerous reports have … Continued

coal self bonding

Coal Self Bonding in Senators’ Cross Hairs

Prominent Senators from Washington State and Illinois launched a congressional investigation of coal self bonding for mine reclamation allowed by some states, including Wyoming. Taxpayers are potentially on the hook for over a billion dollars worth of reclamation work after two major … Continued

land use plans

Land Use Plans Challenged by WORC, Groups

Land use plans to keep open vast amounts of public land in Montana and Wyoming for fossil fuel development are short-sighted and fail to consider dramatic changes in energy markets that make such thinking both obsolete and financially risky, a coalition … Continued

Otter Creek

Otter Creek Mine Application Suspended

On March 10, Arch Coal announced that it is suspending efforts to secure a mining permit for the proposed Otter Creek Mine. Otter Creek was the largest proposed new coal strip mine in the nation; it would have stripped 8,300 acres of … Continued

Pacific Northwest totem pole dedicated in Billings

About 120 people gathered at the Northern Plains Resource Council building in Billings last Friday to dedicate a totem pole carved by members of the Lummi Nation in Washington state. The totem pole is a gift from the Lummi to members of the Northern Cheyenne in … Continued

coal leasing pause coal royalties

Judge supports reclamation suit at Spring Creek

Landowners and downstream water users were successful in gaining a review of the status of reclamation by federal and state agencies overseeing mining at Cloud Peak Energy’s Spring Creek Mine in southeastern Montana. Federal Judge Susan Watters affirmed an earlier decision … Continued